Why Magic Weekend is rugby league's superior event

Over the years, rugby league's events culture has expanded to offer enthusiasts more ways to enjoy what the sport can bring. The Grand Final was the first addition to the calendar to go alongside the Challenge Cup.

Trips to France are now commonplace, with both Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique offering up opportunities to take in a game abroad. Super League fans weren't allowed to take in a Trans-Atlantic experience in Toronto, but some clubs, such as Wigan, have played games in Barcelona and even Australia.

But of all the options available, it is the Magic Weekend concept that has truly offered up something like no other event.

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The 2022 instalment with be the 15th of the event. It has taken rugby league fans to Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, with the latter to play host again this year. But it's also delivered some incredible moments. From controversy to history and literal moments of magic, it's an event that rarely fails to deliver on the field.

Not that rugby league usually does. Of all the sport's issues, the quality on the field is not one of them. While the sport has done a good job of making both the Challenge Cup and Grand Final spectacles in their own right, the majority of clubs have struggled in their quest to make the regular week-to-week games the type of event that will appeal to those who don't sing from rugby league's hymn sheet.

Magic Weekend, however, has proved to be the event that has enticed a different audience to take in what the sport has to offer. Stag and hen dos are a regular feature, fancy dress is never hard to spot and social groups of different demographics attend as part of